Background: Studies from other countries have identified multiple contributing factors to renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We conducted this study to investigate the relationship between RCC and certain risk factors among the Mongolian population. Aim: To identify the risk factors for renal cell carcinoma in Mongolian individuals. Material and Methods: This case-control study included 88 patients diagnosed with RCC (confirmed by pathological examination) in the case group. The control group consisted of 88 healthy individuals matched by age and gender. A case-control study design was used. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted on the questionnaire results from both groups to identify risk factors for RCC through both univariate and multivariate regression analysis. Results: A total of 176 participants were included in the study-88 with RCC and 88 without cancer. Statistically significant associations with RCC were found for hypertension, urinary tract diseases, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Although weight gain appeared to increase the risk for RCC, this was not statistically significant. Conclusion Individuals with hypertension, a history of urinary tract diseases, smokers, and alcohol users are at a higher risk of developing renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Currently, colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. CRC frequently metastasizes to the liver (50%), lungs (10–15%), peritoneum (4%), bones (10.7%–23.7%), brain (0.3%–6%), and spinal cord. Approximately 35% of CRC cases are diagnosed before distant metastasis, 36% upon lymph node involvement, and 23% after distant organ metastasis. Although several studies have established primary tumor models in mice in our country, there are limited studies on experimental lung metastasis models, prompting the need for this research. Aim: To establish and evaluate a lung metastasis model of colorectal cancer in C57BL/6J mice using the MC38 cell line. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences. Approval was obtained from the Ethics Review Board of the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (2023/3-09) and all laboratory safety regulations and protocols were strictly followed. Male C57BL/6J mice bred at the Experimental Animal Center of Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences were used. MC38 murine colorectal carcinoma cells were cultured and injected intravenously (via the tail vein) at a concentration of 0.25×10⁶ cells per mouse (n=12) to induce lung metastasis. Histological analysis was subsequently performed. Results: Histological examination revealed significant alterations in lung tissue architecture, characterized by areas of dense infiltration by pleomorphic, hyperchromatic cells, disrupting the normal alveolar structure. No histological abnormalities were observed in other organs. Conclusion Intravenous injection of MC38 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells into the tail vein of C57BL/6J mice successfully induced lung metastases, characterized by hyperchromatic, pleomorphic cell infiltrates forming glandular structures within the lung parenchyma.

Background: In recent years, scientists have found that certain natural compounds have significant potential in cancer prevention and early-stage cancer treatment. Flavanones, a class of polyphenolic compounds found in plants, vegetables, seeds, fruit peels, and flowers, have been identified to possess anticancer, antioxidant, anti- inflammatory, and antibacterial bioactivities. Cancer has become a major global challenge in terms of both economic and public health concerns. Global statistics indicate that 22.8% of deaths are attributed to non-communicable diseases, and 16.8% are caused by cancer, accounting for one in four and one in six deaths, respectively. Aim : To investigate anticancer effects of Iris Tenuifolia-derived flavanone on cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods : The study was conducted at the Bio-Medical Research Institute of the Mongolian National Uni versity of Medical Sciences, investigating the effect of flavanones on cancer cell viability under in vitro conditions using the MTT assay. In the study, colon, liver, and lung cancer cells were cultured, stabilized, and used for the experiments. Colorectal cancer cells (MC38), liver cancer cells (HepG2), and lung cancer cells (A549) were revived, cultured, and stabilized for use in the experimental procedures. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using Microsoft Excel 2010, and graphs were generated using GraphPad Prism 8. Differences between groups were analyzed using Student’s t-test, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results : We treated MC38, HepG2, and A549 cancer cells with different concentrations of flavanone (2.5 µM, 5 µM, and 10 µM) for 24 to 48 hours to evaluate cell viability. Flavanone inhibited A549 cell viability by 2.5 μM-10%, 5 μM-25%, and 10 μM-38%, respectively. For HepG2 cells, flavanone treatment at concentrations of 5-10 µM reduced cell viability by 28–58%. No statistically significant effect on the viability of MC38 cells was observed following treatment with flavanone at concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 10 µM. Additionally, although MC38 inhibited cell viability in a dose-de pendent manner in cell cultures, it had a statistically significant effect at higher concentrations of 30-200 μM (p<0.01). Conclusion Flavanone inhibits the cancer cell viability in a dose and time dependent manner

Background: The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Mongolia was reported on November 11, 2020. In response, the government imposed a nationwide lockdown, which significantly impacted the population’s mental health. Heightened levels of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression during the pandemic altered individuals’ psychological stability and behavior. Personality traits—defined as relatively stable patterns of emotion, cognition, and behavior—play a key role in stress responses and emotional regulation under pressure. Emerging evidence suggests that these psychological factors may influence the immune system’s responsiveness, including vaccine-induced antibody production. Aim: To evaluate the association between post-vaccination antibody responses and personality types following two doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Materials and Methods: A total of 738 participants who received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines (AstraZeneca ChAdOx1, n=29; Pfizer-BioNTech, n=119; Sinopharm BBIBP, n=590) and had no prior SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled. Serum samples were collected 21–28 days after the second dose, and SARS-CoV-2 RBD (S) IgG antibodies were measured using ELISA (Proteintech Inc., USA). Personality types were assessed using a 56-item temperament questionnaire developed by A. Belov, categorizing individuals into classical temperament types (choleric, phlegmatic, sanguine, melancholic). Logistic regression and ROC analysis were used to examine associations between personality types and antibody response. Results: The presence of an antibody response was significantly higher among individuals with a melancholic temperament, and significantly lower among those with a phlegmatic temperament. Furthermore, antibody titers were higher in participants with melancholic and sanguine temperaments and lower in those with a phlegmatic type. Conclusions 1. During the early period following the second dose of COVID-19 vaccination, the antibody response was higher in individuals with a pure melancholic temperament, while it was lower in those with a phlegmatic temperament. 2. After the second dose of the Sinopharm BBIBP COVID-19 vaccine, antibody titers were higher in individuals with pure melancholic and sanguine temperaments, and lower in those with a phlegmatic temperament.

Background: The study of small-molecule compounds with antitumor activity involves several crucial steps. These include determining their selective effects on cancer cells, understanding the type of cell death they induce, identifying the activated signaling pathways, pinpointing the target molecules, and elucidating the mechanisms of action. Among the plant-derived compounds with anticancer properties, flavonoids are notable for their ease of isolation and their abundance in food. Apigetrin, a representative flavonoid, is a secondary metabolite found in plants, and our previous study indicated that its anticancer selectivity index was 13.1. However, the specific mechanism by which apigetrin inhibits leukemia cell growth remains unclear. Aim: To study of the inhibitory action of apigenin on leukemia cell culture Materials and Methods: In this study, we evaluated the apoptosis of cells using flow cytometry and investigated the in volvement of the caspase pathway through the use of pancaspase inhibitors to explore the effects of apigetrin on leukemia cell growth. Results: After incubating leukemia RAW264.7 cells with 30 μM apigetrin for 24 and 48 hours, we did not detect any apoptosis through Annexin V and PI staining by flow cytometry. We compared the number of viable cells using the MTT assay after 24-hour treatment of apigetrin with or without pretreatment of Z-VAD, a pancaspase inhibitor, for 30 minutes. The results indicated that the pancaspase inhibitor did not reduce the inhibitory effect of apigetrin on the growth of RAW264.7 cells. In contrast, the positive control group, treated with doxorubicin—which induces apoptosis—showed not only significant apoptosis but also a reduction of the pancaspase inhibitor on the cell growth inhibition. Therefore, these data suggested that apigetrin likely has a cytostatic effect or inhibits the cell cycle rather than being cytotoxic. Future research should focus on determining which stage of the cell cycle RAW264.7 cells treated with apigetrin are in, as well as studying the signaling pathways involved in the cell cycle. Conclusions Apigetrin inhibits the proliferation of RAW264.7 leukemia cells in a caspase-independent and non-apoptotic manner.

Background: The corneal endothelium, the innermost layer of the cornea, is composed of hexagonal cells that maintain corneal transparency and provide essential nutrients to the stroma. These cells play a critical role in preserving visual acuity. Previous studies have demonstrated that endothelial cells do not regenerate, and their density progressively declines with age, accompanied by morphological alterations. Given the individual variability in corneal thickness and endothelial morphology, establishing normative reference values is crucial for diagnosing corneal diseases, planning corneal transplantation, and optimizing surgical strategies for cataract surgery. However, there is a scarcity of data regarding central corneal thickness, endothelial cell density, and cell morphology among Mongolian adults. This knowledge gap provided the rationale for the present study. Aim: To study the central corneal thickness and endothelial cell morphology in Mongolian adults. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted using an analytical cross-sectional design. A total of 198 individuals aged 20 to 79 years were randomly selected, and comprehensive ophthalmic examinations were performed. Corneal parameters—including central corneal thickness, endothelial cell density, mean cell area, coefficient of variation of cell size, and the percentage of hexagonal cells—were quantitatively assessed using a non-contact specular microscope. Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (Approval No. 2024/3-06), and written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to enrollment. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 48.4±14.5 years, with 48.9% (n=97) being male and 51.1% (n=101) female. In the central cornea, the mean endothelial cell density (ECD) was 2857.14±291.49 cells/mm², the mean central corneal thickness (CCT) was 526.25±33.67 µm, the mean cell area was 335.11±37.82 µm², the percentage of hexagonal cells was 64.81±3.94%, and the coefficient of variation (CV) in cell size was 0.31±0.04. With increasing age, both ECD and the percentage of hexagonal cells showed a statistically significant decline, while the mean cell area and CV demon strated a significant inverse correlation (P=0.0001). No statistically significant differences were observed in corneal thickness or endothelial morphometric parameters between the right and left eyes or between sexes. Among the Mongolian adults, the endothelial cell density decreases by approximately 0.3% annually (r=0.2107, p<0.0001). Conclusion 1. The mean central corneal thickness (CCT) in adult Mongolian individuals was 526.25±33.67 μm, which is comparable to reported averages from other populations. However, the mean endothelial cell density (ECD) was relatively higher, measured at 2857.14±291.49 cells/mm². 2. With advancing age, a progressive decline in central endothelial cell density and the proportion of hexagonal cells was observed, whereas the coefficient of variation (CV) in cell size and the mean cell area showed a corresponding increase

Background: An estimated 99% of the global population lives in environments where PM2.5 levels exceed the WHO air quality guideline of 15 μg/m³. In 2018, air pollution contributed to approximately 4.2 million deaths worldwide. In Mongolia, air pollution—particularly in urban centers like Ulaanbaatar, worsens significantly during the winter season, posing a serious public health and local concern. Therefore, it is compulsory to compare the outdoor air quality in Ulaanbaatar, the capital and Darkhan city. Aim: To assess and compare the outdoor PM2.5 concentrations in Ulaanbaatar and Darkhan during the winter season. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Ulaanbaatar and Darkhan from December 10, 2024, to February 19, 2025. A total of 60 PurpleAir Classic+ sensors (30 per city) were installed to assess PM2.5 concentrations at 2-minute intervals. We analyzed collected data using R software. The 24-hour average PM2.5 concentrations were compared with both the Mongolian National Air Quality Standard (MNS4585:2016) and the WHO air quality guidelines (2021). Results: The 24-hour average PM2.5 concentration in Ulaanbaatar was 112.3±62.2 μg/m³, which was significantly higher than that in Darkhan (79.2±25.6 μg/m³; p<0.05). In Ulaanbaatar, the monthly averages were 119.9±67.7 μg/m³ (Decem ber), 113.5±60.8 μg/m³ (January), and 95.0±51.9 μg/m³ (February) respectively (p<0.05). In contrast, Darkhan city’s monthly average PM2.5 remained relatively close across the months: 79.1±22.2 μg/m³ (December), 78.7±28.6 μg/m³ (January), and 84.6±30.0 μg/m³ (February), with no statistical significance (p>0.05). During the study period, the 24-hour average PM2.5 concentrations exceeded the MNS4585:2016 (50 μg/m³) in 69.8% of days in Ulaanbaatar and 64.6% in Darkhan. WHO’s guideline of 15 μg/m³ was exceeded 93.4% of the time in both cities. Conclusion Darkhan city has lower PM2.5 concentrations compared to Ulaanbaatar, both cities significantly exceeded MNS4585:2016 standard and the WHO air quality guidelines (2021) during the winter months.

Background: Research on lactic acid bacteria has confirmed how specific strains possess probiotic properties and impart unique sensory characteristics to food products. The use of probiotic lactic acid bacteria in many food products, thus confers various health benefits to humans when they are frequently consumed in adequate amounts. Aim: To determine the effect of lactic acid bacteria on the growth of tomatoes. Materials and Methods: The lactic acid bacteria were cultured using the Lactobacillus medium from whipping cream and Dandelion (Taraxacum mongolicum) and identified using the MALDI-TOF MS automated microbial identification analyzer. A solution was prepared using Lactobacillus delbrueckii isolated from whipping cream and Lactobacillus gasseri isolated from Dandelion (10^7CFU/ml), and sterilized tomato seeds were watered for 10 days with the solution, while sterilized distilled water was used as a control. The germination rate of the seeds and the root length were measured and recorded every day. Results: The solution of L.delbrueckii bacteria isolated from cream germinated 100% of the seeds, which is 4% higher than the control seeds, while the solution of L.gasseri bacteria isolated from Dandelion germinated 100%, supporting 4% higher than the control seeds. Seedlings irrigated with the L.delbrueckii bacterial solution exhibited an average length of 10.3cm, which was 1.3cm longer than the control (P=0.003), indicating a statistically significant difference. Similarly, those treated with the L.gasseri solution had an average length of 11.5cm, 2.5cm longer than the control (P=0.005), also demonstrating statistical significance. Conclusion The application of the lactic acid bacterial solution significantly enhanced both the germination of tomato seeds and the growth of the plants compared to the control solution.

Background: Globally, approximately 684,000 deaths occur annually due to falls. In Mongolia, 47 individual aged between 45 and 85 have died as a result of falls. Therefore, there is a pressing need to assess fall risks among the general population in Mongolia and identify risk factors to prevent accidents and injuries. Aim: To assess the risk of falls among individuals aged 45 years and older who are receiving care at tertiary-level referral hospitals in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 408 participants aged 45 years and above who were attending tertiary-level hospitals in Ulaanbaatar. Fall risk was assessed using the internationally recognized Falls Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Results: The mean age of the participants was 59.24±6.54 years; 40% were male and 60% were female. Among the participants, 45.3% (n=185) were categorized as low risk, 33.6% (n=137) as moderate risk, and 21.1% (n=86) as high risk for falls. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant risk factors associated with falls. Key factors included: slippery shoe soles (OR=0.226, 95% CI: 0.119–0.428, p=0.001), performing unexpected hazardous movements while changing positions (OR=0.262, 95% CI: 0.143–0.480, p=0.001), use of assistive walking devices (OR=0.209, 95% CI: 0.110–0.397, p=0.001), anxiety or unstable mental status (OR=0.276, 95% CI: 0.148–0.514, p=0.001), tendency to resist instructions or behave stubbornly (OR=0.330, 95% CI: 0.183–0.596, p=0.001), difficulty in recognizing the surrounding environment (OR=0.354, 95% CI: 0.187–0.671, p=0.001), and a history of previous falls (OR=4.737, 95% CI: 2.151–10.429). Conclusion 1. Based on the FRAT assesment, 45.3% of participants had low fall risk, 33.6% moderate risk, and 21.1% high risk. 2. Risk factors such as sudden movements, the use of assistive devices, and emotional instability significantly influence fall risk assessment, and individuals with a history of previous falls are 4.7 times more likely to experience another fall.

Background: Vaginal candidiasis is a highly prevalent infectious disease among women caused by a wide range of pathogenic organisms. Although it can be treated with standard pharmacological methods, it has detrimental effects on women’s reproductive health. The absence of research to date on the anti-vaginal inflammatory effects of Jirug-6 suppositories - a traditional formulation derived from ancient medicinal recipes and long-used in traditional mongolian medicine has provided the rationale for conducting this study. Aim: Study of the effects of Jirug-6 suppositories on the vaginal inflammatory lesion model induced by Candida albicans. Materials and Methods: To establish the vaginal inflammatory lesion model in experimental animals, the inoculum was prepared according to the McFarland standard method, and 10 µL of the inoculum was intravaginally administered daily for 4 consecutive days. Fifty-six mice with induced vaginal candidiasis were divided into 7 groups. On treatment days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10, the vaginal cavity of the mice was washed with 100 µL of phosphate buffer. From the lavage fluid, 20 µL was collected, mixed with 480 µL of phosphate buffer, and thoroughly homogenized. Using a 20 µL micropipette, three aliquots were inoculated onto Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) medium and incubated at 37°C for 48 hours. Colonies were counted, and at the end of the experiment, serum was isolated from blood samples, and IFN-γ and IL-10 levels in the samples were quantified using ELISA. Histopathological analysis was performed on vaginal tissues from the experimental animals. Results: In the experimental animals, Jirug-6 suppositories 0.4 mg/kg dose exhibited the mildest clinical signs of hyperemia, swelling, hemorrhage, infiltration, or fluid loss into soft tissues in the vaginal and cervical regions (p<0.01). For cervical inflammation, Jirug-6 suppositories 0.4 mg/kg demonstrated a strong anti-inflammatory effect with a score of 1.99±0.78, which was comparable to the positive control group (p<0.01). In serum, the concentrations of IFN-γ and IL-10 in Jirug-6 suppositories 0.4 mg/kg were determined to be 8.18±0.61 and 7.91±1.30, respectively, showing reduced levels similar to those of the positive control group (p<0.01). Conclusions 1. Jirug-6 suppositories reduce inflammatory symptoms and suppresses fungal dissemination during the vaginal lesion model induced by C. albicans. 2. At a Jirug-6 suppositories 0.4 mg/kg demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects by increasing IFN-γ concentration and decreasing IL-10 concentration in the C. albicans-induced vaginal lesion model. Furthermore, it enhances immunity and reduces swelling during inflammation, exhibiting positive therapeutic effects against clinical symptoms.